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WINCHESTER — Three individuals who furthered the vision of Umpqua Community College as an institution of hope were inducted into the college's Hall of Fame Tuesday evening.
The invitation-only event, held in Jacoby Auditorium on the campus, also marked the college's 45th anniversary.
Del Blanchard of Myrtle Creek and Jacky Hagan Sohn of Roseburg were on hand to accept their Spirit of Umpqua Hall of Fame awards, while Carol Whipple of Elkton accepted the award on behalf of her mother, Mildred Whipple.
The college names inductees once every five years. Criteria for the award are exceptional service, generous financial and/or in-kind donations, a minimum of 10 years' service, and at or near retirement.
Plaques bearing the photos and years of service by Blanchard, Sohn and Mildred Whipple will now join those of 15 others in the Hall of Fame that are displayed in the lobby of Jacoby Auditorium.
Blanchard, representing south Douglas County, served on the UCC board of trustees for 32 years until his retirement this past spring.
In accepting his award from UCC President Blaine Nisson, Blanchard said he was the first in his family to graduate from a four-year university, but his goal in life was “just to be OK.”
Blanchard started a scholarship endowment for UCC in 1995 and has transferred property worth well over $1 million to the college. An estimated 40 to 60 scholarships are expected to be awarded to UCC students next year through his contributions.
“I've served my community and my church, but I've put most of my emphasis on continuing education because it's so important,” he said.
Sohn, who went by her maiden name Jacky Hagan while working at UCC, retired in 2003 after 27 years with the college. Among her outstanding achievements was the successful pursuit of three U.S. Department of Education TRIO grants, which provided funding for Upward Bound, Educational Talent Search and Student Support Services.
The programs have served several thousand Douglas County middle school, high school and college students, many from a population that may never have considered college without the encouragement and support received through these programs.
“It has been a privilege to be part of this grand experiment — the American community college — to make education within reach of everyone,” said Sohn, as she accepted her award. “It is a honor for anyone who's an educator to help students literally transform their lives on this campus.”
The late Mildred Whipple, along with her husband, Jim, contributed generously to UCC since the 1970s, and that effort continues through their daughter, Carol Whipple.
Mildred Whipple, who graduated from Sutherlin High School before going on to college to become a teacher, contributed millions of dollars to the college's Fine Arts Department, established a scholarship for UCC students and gave $500,000 to the UCC Foundation.
In accepting the award on her mother's behalf, Carol Whipple expressed concern over the many issues and challenges facing educators today. She said it's important to leave a legacy supporting the pursuit of education.
“Our charge is to carry the message of the importance of education to the citizens of Douglas County,” she said.
Tuesday's event also included musical performances by UCC students, a slide show commemorating the college's first 45 years and acknowledgment of the attendance of an original UCC board member and other Spirit of Umpqua Hall of Famers.
Guest speaker and UCC Foundation President Lee Paterson relayed stories of how UCC had been instrumental in his education as well as that of his father, Pat Paterson, who came to the school as a 60-year-old high school dropout and then went onto earn his doctorate and return to teach at the college.
“The college has provided that initial step toward success for so many,” Paterson said. “The college will continue to be a place where miracles change lives.”
• You can reach Editor Vicki Menard at 957-4203 or by e-mail at vmenard@nrtoday.com.
The invitation-only event, held in Jacoby Auditorium on the campus, also marked the college's 45th anniversary.
Del Blanchard of Myrtle Creek and Jacky Hagan Sohn of Roseburg were on hand to accept their Spirit of Umpqua Hall of Fame awards, while Carol Whipple of Elkton accepted the award on behalf of her mother, Mildred Whipple.
The college names inductees once every five years. Criteria for the award are exceptional service, generous financial and/or in-kind donations, a minimum of 10 years' service, and at or near retirement.
Plaques bearing the photos and years of service by Blanchard, Sohn and Mildred Whipple will now join those of 15 others in the Hall of Fame that are displayed in the lobby of Jacoby Auditorium.
Blanchard, representing south Douglas County, served on the UCC board of trustees for 32 years until his retirement this past spring.
In accepting his award from UCC President Blaine Nisson, Blanchard said he was the first in his family to graduate from a four-year university, but his goal in life was “just to be OK.”
Blanchard started a scholarship endowment for UCC in 1995 and has transferred property worth well over $1 million to the college. An estimated 40 to 60 scholarships are expected to be awarded to UCC students next year through his contributions.
“I've served my community and my church, but I've put most of my emphasis on continuing education because it's so important,” he said.
Sohn, who went by her maiden name Jacky Hagan while working at UCC, retired in 2003 after 27 years with the college. Among her outstanding achievements was the successful pursuit of three U.S. Department of Education TRIO grants, which provided funding for Upward Bound, Educational Talent Search and Student Support Services.
The programs have served several thousand Douglas County middle school, high school and college students, many from a population that may never have considered college without the encouragement and support received through these programs.
“It has been a privilege to be part of this grand experiment — the American community college — to make education within reach of everyone,” said Sohn, as she accepted her award. “It is a honor for anyone who's an educator to help students literally transform their lives on this campus.”
The late Mildred Whipple, along with her husband, Jim, contributed generously to UCC since the 1970s, and that effort continues through their daughter, Carol Whipple.
Mildred Whipple, who graduated from Sutherlin High School before going on to college to become a teacher, contributed millions of dollars to the college's Fine Arts Department, established a scholarship for UCC students and gave $500,000 to the UCC Foundation.
In accepting the award on her mother's behalf, Carol Whipple expressed concern over the many issues and challenges facing educators today. She said it's important to leave a legacy supporting the pursuit of education.
“Our charge is to carry the message of the importance of education to the citizens of Douglas County,” she said.
Tuesday's event also included musical performances by UCC students, a slide show commemorating the college's first 45 years and acknowledgment of the attendance of an original UCC board member and other Spirit of Umpqua Hall of Famers.
Guest speaker and UCC Foundation President Lee Paterson relayed stories of how UCC had been instrumental in his education as well as that of his father, Pat Paterson, who came to the school as a 60-year-old high school dropout and then went onto earn his doctorate and return to teach at the college.
“The college has provided that initial step toward success for so many,” Paterson said. “The college will continue to be a place where miracles change lives.”
• You can reach Editor Vicki Menard at 957-4203 or by e-mail at vmenard@nrtoday.com.
